Best Way to Sell Old Jewelry?

[Luv Bunnies]

Has anyone ever sold old jewelry? DH and BIL inherited a few pieces (diamond, while gold and platinum) when MIL passed away 28 years ago. We had it appraised and it's been sitting in a safe deposit box. They have decided it's time to sell it and split the proceeds. We're going to have it re-appraised and then figure out how to sell it. Should we take it to a jewelry store? Auction house? Antique store? We're not expecting to get the full value, but would like to get the best price possible.

 

[AnnaS]

I have sold some in the past to Jewelry store and twice to a place that buys gold (broken pieces/missing pieces, etc.).

I would like to sell some more - hate to part with some but I know I will never wear them. I don't think stones/diamonds are worth as much as gold but I could be wrong. I have been tempted to sell some silver coins too. They will probably stay in safe deposit box for the kids to sell someday.....

I recently received (twice) mailer for certain dates where you can sell just about anything in a catering hall (people rent out booths). Have various booths. Have never been to one of these.

 

[Tatebeck]

Yep, local jewelry shops will buy them for the precious metals and stones and would likely be the easiest way to sell fairly quickly. That is what I did when my mother passed away

 

[_19disnA]

My experience is that most places who buy old jewelry are mainly interested in the precious metal content (i.e. silver, gold, platinum). You can often find local places that aren't jewelry stores who mostly are looking to buy the precious metals. Mom had some older jewelry pieces and when she passed we also decided to sell them and split the proceeds. Some items were gold plated and there is no value in them. There apparently isn't any practical way to separate out the gold and we never found any store interested in those items, so they were basically worthless. They weigh your pieces and determine the precious metal content to give you an estimate. There doesn't seem to be any market for used precious stones. I doubt an auction house would be interested unless they are something of significant value.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Has anyone ever sold old jewelry?

When my mother died, she had a lot of old jewelry. We started at the jewelry store where I have my rings cleaned and checked and they bought all the "good" stuff (gold, silver, any real stones). The other things I put out at our local garage sale weekend and a teacher at a local community college bought the costume stuff for use in their drama department.

 

[Tatebeck]

Another option is to a ask the jewelry stores to separate their offer for the precious metals and gemstones. If they mostly value the metals, you can have them pop out the gemstones to keep or work into new jewelry for you and just sell the metal. Or save some of the value from the metal sale to have them make the new jewelry for you. So you end up with some money and some new jewelry. My family has done this for various stones from family members, so that you get to carry a piece of them with you and you don't have to buy new stones for new jewelry.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

. I doubt an auction house would be interested unless they are something of significant value.

They're definitely high-end pieces. One is a diamond watch set in platinum. The other is large diamond ring set in white gold. Both are probably over 60 years old and in good shape, except the watch needs a new movement.

Another option is to a ask the jewelry stores to separate their offer for the precious metals and gemstones. If they mostly value the metals, you can have them pop out the gemstones to keep or work into new jewelry for you and just sell the metal. Or save some of the value from the metal sale to have them make the new jewelry for you. So you end up with some money and some new jewelry. My family has done this for various stones from family members, so that you get to carry a piece of them with you and you don't have to buy new stones for new jewelry.

Since they're older pieces, I'm thinking they would have more value if they stay intact. My SIL and I decided we don't want to wear either piece. They're kind of gaudy and not our style. We talked about having the diamond from the ring split, but it has more value if we leave it whole as part of the ring.

 

[Tatebeck]

They're definitely high-end pieces. One is a diamond watch set in platinum. The other is large diamond ring set in white gold. Both are probably over 60 years old and in good shape, except the watch needs a new movement.


Since they're older pieces, I'm thinking they would have more value if they stay intact. My SIL and I decided we don't want to wear either piece. They're kind of gaudy and not our style. We talked about having the diamond from the ring split, but it has more value if we leave it whole as part of the ring.

I had a lot of old pieces. Almost everything they wanted just for the gold. People don't really buy antiques or wears old jewelry anymore. But you could try to auction it or commission a sale from them and if it doesn't sell then they may still pay the gold price

 

[citruscurtis]

Diamonds....ask a reputable jewelry store if they are in the future hosting a diamond clearing house... these companies have little overhead and offer the best prices

Gold ..shop around... companies that do volume sales will offer more

Here comes the gut punch... jewelry that is 60-70 years old..is not old jewelry...I have been selling antique jewelry since 1986...and like then..if the jewelry is not signed...it only has precious metal or gem value. The jewelry I was selling prior to 9/11 was purchased for its art value..9/11 changed perspectives on collecting and the collecting market of vintage... demand has disappeared
The vintage jewelry I sell now is being repurposed or to younger women with little purchase power but love the statement of a unsigned gaudy glamour. Signed jewelry I ship to the east coast with a dealer

 

[aboveH20]

Has anyone ever sold old jewelry? DH and BIL inherited a few pieces (diamond, while gold and platinum) when MIL passed away 28 years ago. We had it appraised and it's been sitting in a safe deposit box. They have decided it's time to sell it and split the proceeds. We're going to have it re-appraised and then figure out how to sell it. Should we take it to a jewelry store? Auction house? Antique store? We're not expecting to get the full value, but would like to get the best price possible.

What did you end up doing?

My sister died 26 years ago and I’ve had her jewelry ever since. She had it appraised for insurance purposes but I know those numbers don’t mean anything. So my sons don’t have to deal with it I’ve decided it’s time to sell - so I searched “sell jewelry “ and your post came up.

My assumption is that if I take it to a jewelry store they’ll say ‘What do you want for it’ and I was wondering how to reply, but based on the responses you got it doesn’t look like I have to worry about that. From what I’ve read, best bet is not to expect much

Any encouraging words.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

What did you end up doing?

We haven’t done anything yet. I think we’ll take it somewhere to be appraised again since the value has likely changed in 30 years. Perhaps the jewelry store can give us advice about where to sell it. Let me know if you have any luck with yours!

 

[_19disnA]

My experience has been that any type of precious stones have zero resale value. Whether that is because jewelry stores don't want to be bothered with them or have more incentives to buy new stones, I don't know. The scrap value of whatever precious metals they are made from is about all anyone is interested in.

 

[Miffy]

OP, unless the watch you mentioned is a Cartier, Patek Philippe, Rolex, or other high-end brand you're probably going to be very disappointed in how much you can sell it for.

Also, be prepared that what the jewelry will appraise for and what you can actually sell it for may be numbers very distant from each other.

But you may have something(s) that are desirable and sought-after. I hope you do! Then you're probably looking at an auction, and a reputable auction house will be happy to look things over and give you an estimate of the results of a possible sale.

 

[citruscurtis]

What did you end up doing?

My sister died 26 years ago and I’ve had her jewelry ever since. She had it appraised for insurance purposes but I know those numbers don’t mean anything. So my sons don’t have to deal with it I’ve decided it’s time to sell - so I searched “sell jewelry “ and your post came up.

My assumption is that if I take it to a jewelry store they’ll say ‘What do you want for it’ and I was wondering how to reply,

Any encouraging words.

* Don't ever do business with anyone who says... what do you want....it is a ploy to take advantage of your ignorance

* Look in craft malls, boutique shows for the folks who are repurposing jewelry... they have a need for quality costume jewelry and sometimes can redirect you to a jeweler of precious stones

Here in Yuma we have a trustworthy jeweler who advertise professional appraisal... so seek for advice from someone one in your social community... look for guidance before doing any unknown appraisal

 

[MICKIMINI]

A local jewelry store. I was getting my diamonds cleaned and settings checked (two prongs needed a bit more gold) in the spring when I noticed a flyer on the counter. A group was coming a few weeks later to buy jewelry. I put together old gold, diamonds and some southwest jewelry I don't wear anymore and walked out with a surprising thousand dollars! I figured I had about half that. The group was just back last week. They were great to work with, quick and paid on the spot. I trusted them as this is the jewelry store we always shop at.

 

[little tess]

Find where the jewelry hobbiests hang out. And the independent craftsmen/women. People that make jewelry may be very interested.